Sony Electronics to eliminate one third of its staff and close 20 stores

Sony Electronics said it will eliminate one-third of its staff this year, or 1,000 employees, as part of the job cuts its parent company Sony Corp. (6758) announced this month.

The San Diego-based unit, which makes high-definition televisions, will also close 20 U.S. stores, it said today in a statement. Sony Corp., based in Tokyo, announced plans earlier this month to cut 5,000 jobs around the world.

Sony forecast a $1.1 billion loss this year as demand slows for TVs and personal computers, while competitors such as Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. dominate the still-growing market for smartphones. The company plans to sell its PC business to buyout firm Japan Industrial Partners Inc. and is splitting the TV manufacturing unit into a separate operating entity.

“While these moves were extremely tough, they were absolutely necessary to position us in the best possible place for future growth,” said Mike Fasulo, president and chief operating officer of Sony Electronics, in the statement today. “I am entirely confident in our ability to turn the business around.”